Royal Bastard's Bloodstained Regression-Chapter 126: The Lie That Shook the Stars

The atmosphere was suffocating.

Gabriel stood frozen, his thoughts unraveling one by one. Sir Luka—gone without a trace. His brother injured. And Zaria, an Angel no longer. He couldn't even sense her divine presence. Her wings... were gone. Everything felt wrong.

"Brother," Gabriel said, stepping forward, his voice low but heavy with tension. "What the hell happened?"

Daemon opened his mouth to speak, preparing the story he'd crafted—until Zaria suddenly cut in.

"Don't blame Daemon! He didn't do anything," she shouted, eyes wide.

Gabriel blinked. "Blame Daemon? What are you talking about?"

Daemon stiffened. His eyes flicked toward Zaria as she gave a quick, awkward wink. He nearly groaned aloud. She really doesn't know how to lie. Still, she was trying. And now, it was his turn to take over.

He dropped his gaze, letting his voice soften with just the right amount of weariness.

"Sir Luka tried to kill me," Daemon began, voice low. "He said Lilac sent him. Claimed I shouldn't be allowed to live because of the baptism... because I'm the reincarnation of the Demon King."

"What?!" Gabriel's eyes widened, fury and disbelief crashing over him.

"He said I was a curse," Daemon continued. "That my death would mean peace. I tried to reason with him, told him the Empire wouldn't stand for such treason. But he didn't care. Said I was a threat... so we fought. I barely managed to defend myself. And then Zaria... she stepped in. She saved me."

Gabriel's breath caught. He looked at Zaria. "Then... what happened to you? Where are your wings?"

Daemon looked away, feigning pain. "I can't say it. It would... it would trigger her."

Zaria's eyes widened. She understood—it was her turn to speak. She'd failed earlier, but not this time.

Her voice trembled as she stepped forward, tears welling. "Sir Luka violated me," she whispered, trembling. "He tricked me... said we could run away together. I was foolish enough to trust him. But as a low-class Angel, I couldn't raise a hand against a holy knight. I couldn't fight back."

Gabriel's entire body went cold.

Vivian gasped, immediately rushing to Zaria's side and dropping to her knees, wrapping her in a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry... I'm so, so sorry."

Gabriel clenched his fists, every muscle in his body screaming with rage.

"I'll kill him," he growled, voice breaking. "I swear by the gods—I'll kill him."

Vivian glanced at Gabriel, who stood trembling with anger. She felt useless in the moment—but as the future queen, she needed to remain composed, to be by his side.

Still, when she turned to look at Daemon, her breath caught in her throat.

"What is it?" Gabriel asked, noticing her reaction.

Vivian quickly masked her expression and forced a smile. "Nothing... I just feel sorry for her," she said softly, referring to Zaria.

But she wasn't looking at Zaria.

Her eyes lingered on Daemon.

She wasn't sure if her mind was playing tricks on her, but something about him... stirred something old.

Vivian didn't know Daemon well. They'd crossed paths only a handful of times. He never paid her any attention, not even a glance. Not that she cared—or so she told herself.

But she remembered the first time she saw him. They were twelve, at the temple.

Even back then, his presence was different. Like the world had already given up on him. She didn't understand it, but she felt something that day—pity, maybe... or curiosity. Then came the baptism.

The moment they declared him the reincarnation of the Demon King, everything changed. The crowd turned on him. People screamed for his death.

And he just stood there, smiling.

That haunted her.

What kind of child smiles when the world curses him?

She didn't know why, but she found herself praying—praying for a chance to see him again. To talk to him. To understand him.

The second time came when she visited the palace with her mother, the Duchess. Daemon and Gabriel were sparring in the courtyard.

She remembered the way he smiled while fighting.

She almost cried watching it because despite the world abandon him he didn't end his life but he was healthy enough to even challenge his brother.

Then she could see it he was holding back. But why ?

Then he started helping Gabriel. Pushing him forward till he breakthrough.And when she later asked why, he'd given her an answer that she still couldn't forget.

Since then, she'd wanted to study him—to understand him. But after she was officially named Gabriel's fiancée, she buried the fascination. Told herself it was just a passing interest. A childish obsession.

Still...

As she watched Daemon now, standing there quietly with blood at the corner of his mouth, sadness in his eyes, and dignity in his silence...

Her heart ached.

And she couldn't explain why.

But one thing Vivian knew for sure—her instincts were screaming.

Daemon was dangerous.

Everything about this situation felt off. The story. The timing. Even Zaria's trembling voice. It was too perfect, too rehearsed. A lie.

But why? Why would Daemon lie? Why would Zaria help him cover it up?

Vivian didn't trust them.

She considered telling Gabriel, but she hesitated. He had a strange attachment to his brother, a kind of blind loyalty that made reason useless. Telling him without proof would only backfire.

Lost in thought, she found herself glancing at Daemon again.

And then—he looked back.

No smile. No warmth.

Just quiet, unreadable focus.

A chill raced down her spine.

Did he know what she was thinking?

Her heartbeat quickened.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Daemon's gaze shifted away as he turned calmly back to Gabriel, wearing that same faint, unreadable expression.

Relief washed over her. Or was it disappointment? That he didn't suspect her... or that he didn't care?

Either way, one thing was certain: she needed to watch him. Study him. Find the cracks in that perfect mask—and then expose the truth. For Gabriel's sake.

Daemon placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Brother, take Zaria back to the temple," he said gently. "I need to return home. My Astra core and internal system are still damaged."

Gabriel frowned. "But can't you heal with divine energy?"

"It's not enough," Daemon replied. "The damage is internal. I'll need at least two days."

Gabriel hesitated, then nodded. He called for another carriage.

"I'll go then," Daemon said.

"Wait!" Vivian suddenly spoke, her voice rising.

All eyes turned to her.

"I'd like to go with Daemon. To inform the queen what happened tonight—so she won't be worried," she added with a polite smile.

Zaria's expression darkened. Her fists clenched.

"Daemon will go alone," she snapped.

Vivian smiled at her sweetly. "But I really should tell Her Majesty. She deserves to know."

Gabriel looked between them. "Mother? Hmm... you're right, Vivian. You should go. I'll take Zaria back myself."

Daemon gave a small smile. "Sure. Why not?"

As Vivian stepped closer to the carriage with Daemon, her heart pounded—not with fear, but anticipation.

Now, she thought, I'll see what secrets you're really hiding, Prince Daemon.

As the carriage rolled forward, Gabriel waved them off with a smile.

Inside, the silence was thick.

Daemon sat with his legs crossed, arms folded, head lowered. His eyes were shut, and he looked completely unbothered—calm, even. Not a word came from him.

Vivian sat opposite, staring at him. The quiet was more than awkward—it was suffocating.

She felt invisible, like she didn't even exist in his world.

Her fists clenched in her lap.

Did we ever even speak before this? she wondered. Not really... This is embarrassing. I've never had to start a conversation first. People usually talk to me.

She cleared her throat softly. "Ahem."

No reaction.

She coughed louder. "Ahem! Ahem!"

Still nothing.

Is he asleep? Or is he just ignoring me?

Annoyed, she stood and leaned forward, waving her hand in front of his face.

Nothing.

She tilted her head, peering at him. Up close, he looked... different. He resembled Gabriel, sure, but there was something sharper, more dangerous in his features. A small mole under his eye caught her attention. His face, relaxed in rest, seemed almost peaceful.

Then his crimson eyes opened.

Vivian froze.

They weren't just red—they glowed like rubies. Deep, sharp, mesmerizing. Her breath caught.

The carriage jolted.

She lost her balance.

And before she could react, she stumbled—lips accidentally pressing against his.

Her eyes shot open, and she immediately pulled back with a loud gasp.

Daemon frowned, calmly brushing his lips with the back of his hand. "Why are you screaming when you're the one who kissed me in my sleep?"

"It was an accident!" she shouted, her face turning scarlet. "I didn't kiss you on purpose!"

But the damage was done. She had just kissed her fiancé's brother.

And worse—it had been her first kiss.

"Accident?" Daemon asked, raising an eyebrow.

Vivian couldn't speak. Her chest tightened as panic crept in. This wasn't just embarrassing—it was humiliating. She had just kissed her fiancé's brother. On the mouth.

Tears welled in her eyes. Her hands trembled in her lap. What do I do now? What have I done?

Daemon stayed still, calm, unreadable. Then, to her surprise, he smiled faintly. "It's fine. Mistakes happen. Maybe... you just wanted to check if I was still breathing?"

"What? No!" she burst out.

"You misunderstood," he said, leaning back slightly. "I meant—since I'm injured, you might've been worried. The carriage jolted. You lost balance. That's all, right?"

His voice was casual. Dismissive, even. Like it truly didn't matter.

Vivian stared at him, stunned. No anger. No mocking. Not even curiosity. He wasn't going to scold her, threaten her, or demand anything in return.

He doesn't even care...

She felt a strange emptiness at the thought.

Was she really so insignificant to him? Did she mean nothing?

Why does that bother me? she thought. Why do I even care?

She looked down, cheeks flushed. Her thoughts spiraled.

He's cold. Detached. Nothing like Gabriel. Gabriel is kind, open, gentle. Daemon is... something else entirely.

Then her mind flashed to Zaria—her fallen feathers, her flustered face. They did something... didn't they? Vivian bit her lip, the thought making her heart pound in a strange way.

She looked away, ashamed of herself. I'm going crazy.